site.btaPresident Radev: Bulgaria's EU, NATO Membership Does Not Exclude Vigorous Relations with Russia

119 POLITICS - PRESIDENT RADEV - PRESIDENT PUTIN - FORUM

President Radev: Bulgaria's EU, NATO Membership
Does Not Exclude Vigorous
Relations with Russia


Saint Petersburg, June 6 (BTA Special Correspondent Lora Metanova) - Bulgaria is a member of the EU and NATO but this does not exclude the development of vigorous relations with the Russian Federation, President Rumen Radev said here on Thursday at the start of his meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the Konstantin Palace.

Radev is visiting the Russian Federation between June 6 and 8 to take part in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

"Our second meeting in such a short period of time is a clear sign of a new dynamics in bilateral relations which are based on deep historical, spiritual and cultural ties," Radev commented his meeting with Putin. He added that this is also a sign that both sides wish to develop these mutually beneficial relations vigorously and constructively.

The Bulgarian head of State noted the good bilateral relations at government and parliament level, as well as in the fields of culture, science, education and tourism. "We are strategic partners in the energy sector and have the potential to deepen this cooperation," Radev said.

"You know that we already acquired two Russian-made (nuclear) reactors, which means that Russia has a place in the construction of the future nuclear power plant, regardless of who wins the strategic investor tender [for the belene N-plant project]," Radev commented. He added that there is a longstanding partnership in natural gas supply and transit between the two countries. "I would like to inform you in more details that Bulgaria continues to modernize and expand its gas transmission network, has plans to build a gas distribution centre, a gas exchange, while the construction of gas interconnectors with our neighbours has already started," the Bulgarian President said.

President Vladimir Putin said that the relations between Russia and Bulgaria are gradually being restored, adding that the reserves for activating them have started to be utilized.

The Bulgarian head of State is also scheduled to meet with the Bulgarian community in St. Petersburg. On June 7 Radev will take part in the presidential panel of the forum dedicated to the UN solutions for realizing sustainable development goals by 2030. He will also confer with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, as well as with the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pasinyan. LI/MY



//